Novel treatment of basilar invagination resulting from an untreated C-1 fracture associated with transverse ligament avulsion

The authors describe the case of a traumatic C-1 ring fracture and transverse ligament injury in an otherwise healthy adult woman; the lesion was essentially untreated for 3 months and resulted in basilar invagination. On presentation 3 months postinjury, the patient complained of severe increasing suboccipital pain and a grinding sensation in her upper neck. Axial computerized tomography (CT) scans revealed a C-1 ring fracture, basilar invagination with the dens abutting the clivus, and significant lateral splaying of the C-1 lateral masses. Flexion-extension radiography demonstrated abnormal motion at the atlantoaxial junction. A unique surgical technique was used to address simultaneously the C1-2 instability, the displaced C-1 fracture, and basilar invagination without having to perform occipital fixation. The authors believe that an understanding of the mechanism of the cranial settling in this case (further splaying of the C-1 lateral masses and downward migration of the occipital condyles) permitted full reduction of the deformity; this was accomplished by performing a horizontal reduction of the C-1 lateral masses, using direct C-1 lateral mass screws, a rod compressor, and a cross-link. Postoperative CT scanning confirmed the success of reduction. The results in this report highlight a rare but important complication of untreated C-1 fracture and ligament disruption, and the authors describe a novel treatment technique with which to restore vertical alignment and preserve occipital C-1 motion. A variation of this technique may also be used to treat Type II transverse ligament injuries associated with C-1 ring fractures as an alternative to halo immobilization.